Paolini << POW lee nee >>, Christopher (1983-…), is an American author of fantasy fiction for young adult readers. Paolini gained recognition for the “Inheritance Cycle” of fantasy novels. The novels are Eragon (2002), Eldest (2005), Brisingr (2008), and Inheritance (2011).
The “Inheritance Cycle” tells about the adventures of a 15-year-old farm boy named Eragon. He lives on the continent of Alagaësia in a place called the Empire. A legendary band called Dragon Riders once governed the Empire in peace and harmony. But the group was betrayed by one of its own members, named Galbatorix, who claimed the throne of the Empire after most of the Dragon Riders were slain. Eragon comes into possession of a dragon’s egg from Galbatorix. The egg hatches into a beautiful dragon that Eragon names Saphira. Through his relationship with Saphira, Eragon becomes a Dragon Rider. The novels describe the conflict between Eragon and the forces led by the tyrant Galbatorix for control of the Empire. Paolini’s other works in Eragon’s world are Eragon’s Guide to Alagaësia (2009), a reference book; The Fork, the Witch, and the Worm (2018), a collection of short stories; and Murtagh (2023), a spinoff novel set after the main series.
Paolini’s first adult novel, To Sleep in a Sea of Stars (2020), is a science-fiction story. A young scientist discovers an alien relic that transforms her life and could alter galactic history. A sequel, Fractal Noise, was published in 2023.
Paolini was born on Nov. 17, 1983, in southern California and grew up in Paradise Valley, Montana. He was homeschooled by his parents. He began writing Eragon at the age of 15.
